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City Report · CT

Meriden

Pop. 60,545·47th most expensive in Connecticut·Meriden rents are up 7.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,748/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.8%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$217
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Meriden · $1,748
More affordable than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,748/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$70,000/yr
Local median income
$71,253/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Meriden's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,260
1 BR
$1,355
2 BR
$1,655
3 BR
$2,055
4 BR+
$2,320
Research median
$1,655/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$20,976/yr
At $1,748/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.8% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Meriden, CT is majority owner-occupied, 22.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
60,545
Median income
$71,253
Median age
38.9
Renters
39.9%
Age distribution
21.9%
22.3%
24.1%
15.5%
16.2%
Under 1821.9%
18–3422.3%
35–5424.1%
55–6415.5%
65+16.2%
Gender
48%
52%
Male48%
Female52%
Race & ethnicity
54.2%
38.3%
White54.2%
Black8.5%
Hispanic38.3%
Asian2.5%
Education (25+)
13.6%
34.8%
29.4%
22.2%
No HS diploma13.6%
HS diploma34.8%
Some college29.4%
Bachelor's+22.2%
Housing tenure
60.1%
39.9%
Owner60.1%
Renter39.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Meriden, CT has changed in 5 years

Income
$59,792 → $71,253
up 19.2%
Population
60,790 → 60,545
down 0.4%
Renter share
41.7% → 39.9%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
20.2% → 22.2%
+2.0 pts
Median age
40.2 → 38.9
-1.3 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $59,792 to $71,253 across the same window, up 19.2% versus 2021. About 39.9% of households rent today, against 41.7% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 20.2% to 22.2%.

Community

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View Meriden rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Meriden on your salary?

At $1,748/mo, how Meriden rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Meriden rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Meriden. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Meriden

About renting in Meriden, CT

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Meriden is $1,748/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,260/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,655/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,355/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,055/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($71,253/yr), Meriden ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Meriden an affordable city for renters?

Meriden is considered affordable for renters. At $1,748/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($71,253/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Meriden falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Meriden?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,748/mo in Meriden. The local median household income is $71,253/yr, meaning the typical Meriden household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Meriden?

Rent in Meriden has increased 7.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Meriden neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Meriden are 06451 ($1,667/mo), and 06450 ($1,870/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Meriden is $1,748/mo.

How does Meriden rent compare to other cities in Connecticut?

Meriden is one of the more affordable cities in Connecticut for rent, ranking #47 out of 56 tracked cities at $1,748/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Meriden?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Meriden ($1,748/mo): Plainville ($1,460/mo), New Britain ($1,627/mo).

What percentage of Meriden residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.9% of Meriden households are renters, while 60.1% are owner-occupied. Meriden leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Meriden rent compare to the national average?

Meriden's median rent of $1,748/mo is $217 (11%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Connecticut, it ranks #47 out of 56 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,748/mo, rent takes ~29% of Meriden's median household income ($71,253/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Meriden 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.99%
Run the Meriden affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Meriden
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Meriden, CT

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